Montenegro Put Away Gutsy Swiss

16 June 2012

EUROBASKET WOMEN QUALIFIERS

Jelena Dubljevic and Iva Perovanovic poured in the points for Montenegro on Saturday as they won 82-67 at Switzerland.

In a Group B game of the EuroBasket Women Qualification Round, the Montenegrins stormed into a 27-13 lead by the end of the first quarter and stretched that to 44-25 with two minutes remaining in the half.

Switzerland, who won their opening game at Estonia, dug in their heels and launched a spirited comeback.

Midway through the third quarter, they closed the gap to 57-48 with a three-ball from Marielle Giroud.

With 8:13 remaining in the contest, Swiss point guard Gaelle Gür made a lay-up to reduce the deficit to 68-61.

Montenegro coach Miodrag Baletic decided to burn a timeout to stop the run.

When play resumed, the 1.89 power forward/center Milica Jovanovic launched an attempt from long range and missed, and the Swiss rebounded.

Karen Twehues then put one up from behind the arc and was off target for Switzerland, and Montenegro grabbed the rebound.

Perovanovic and Dubljevic hit jumpers to take the lead back to 72-61.

Giroud hit a couple of free-throws to reduce the arrears to nine, but Switzerland got no closer.